From forest to homes: A look at Indiana’s hardwood industry

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Hoosier leaders learned about the state’s hardwoods industry during a tour in southern Indiana Oct. 19.

The hardwoods industry in Indiana contributes $10.4 billion to the economy and is a large economic driver, providing around 70,000 jobs to Hoosiers.

The tour stopped at Heritage Hardwoods and Formwood Industries, where veneer products are made.

Indiana ranks No. 1 for hardwood veneer in the country.

Veneer is a select type of wood. The log must be free of most defects such as knots and insect damage. It must have consistent coloring and size.

The tour included a stop at Koetter Wordworking, where stock mouldings, doors and wood flooring are made.

Hardwood byproducts, such as animal bedding, wood fuels and landscape products, are made at Smith Creek in Borden.

The tour also stopped at Worley Lumber, a grade lumber sawmill. The day concluded at Clark State Forest, where they observed a tree harvest site.

According to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana has roughly 4.9 million acres of forest land; 340,000 acres are owned by state and local government, 388,493 acres are owned by the federal government and 4.1 million acres are privately owned.

Statewide timber growth exceeds removals for harvest and natural tree mortality by 2.3 times, making it a sustainable industry.

By the numbers

Indiana ranks:

• First nationally in the production of wood office furniture and hardwood veneer.

• Second nationally in wood kitchen cabinets and counter tops, manufactured homes.

• Third nationally in engineered wood products.

• Fourth nationally in prefabricated wood buildings.

• Fifth nationally in upholstered household furniture.

Source: ISDA